Watch The Citizen

The Citizen is a drama film that tells the story of a Lebanese man named Ibrahim Jarrah, played by Khaled Nabawy, who moves to the United States with dreams of becoming an American citizen. The movie follows Ibrahim's journey as he tries to acclimate to the culture, politics, and society of his new home. At first, Ibrahim is excited to be in America and is hopeful about his future. He finds work as a taxi driver and meets a young woman named Diane, played by Agnes Bruckner, who becomes his friend and confidante. However, his happiness is short-lived as he begins to experience racism and discrimination.

As Ibrahim tries to navigate his new life, he encounters various challenges. His taxi is vandalized because of his race, he is arrested because of a misunderstanding, and he struggles to adjust to the customs of his new country. Despite these setbacks, Ibrahim remains determined to make a life for himself in America.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Citizen is its exploration of identity and what it means to belong. Ibrahim struggles with these issues as he tries to fit in with American society while holding onto his Lebanese heritage. He faces criticism from both the American and Lebanese communities, and he is forced to confront difficult questions about where he truly belongs.

The Citizen also touches on themes of patriotism and government policies. Ibrahim's desire to become a citizen and fully participate in American life is hindered by the government's strict immigration policies, and he is forced to navigate a complex bureaucracy to achieve his dream. The movie also highlights how government actions can impact individual lives, particularly those of immigrants.

Khaled Nabawy delivers a powerful performance as Ibrahim. He portrays the character's emotions with subtlety and nuance, capturing both his hope and his despair. Agnes Bruckner is also excellent as Diane, offering a compelling portrayal of a woman grappling with her own demons.

The supporting cast is equally strong, particularly Rizwan Manji, who plays Ibrahim's lawyer. Manji brings humor and humanity to the role, providing a welcome contrast to the heaviness of Ibrahim's struggles.

Visually, The Citizen is stunning. Director Sam Kadi expertly captures both the beauty and the harshness of New York City, and he uses lighting and camera angles to convey the mood of each scene. The movie's soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring moving and haunting music that adds to the emotional resonance of the story.

Overall, The Citizen is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that explores important themes of identity, belonging, and patriotism. Its strong performances, beautiful cinematography, and compelling storyline make it a must-see for anyone interested in issues of immigration and culture in America.

The Citizen is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 38.